Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows!

In this episode of the Squared Circle Podcast, Marie Shadows and Dose Evil dive into MLW's Battle Riot 7—a night packed with unexpected returns, lucha libre intensity, and major storyline setups. They kick things off by celebrating the Squared Circle Podcast’s YouTube Partner milestone, new merch drops, and upcoming member-only content.

From Austin Aries’ surprise return on commentary to the heavily lucha-influenced match card, Marie and Dose break down each segment with insight, humor, and a sharp eye on storytelling gaps. Janai Kai’s hard-hitting win, Mads Krueger’s ominous promo, and Saint Laurent’s odd “Sessions” segment set the stage for MLW’s evolving narratives.

Mr. Thomas joins the episode midway to share behind-the-scenes insight and lighthearted banter about the live crowd’s energy, the match layout, and why Paul Walter Hauser might just be the most committed Boumaiye member yet.

If you’re looking for an honest, smart, and entertaining take on Battle Riot 7—from both inside and outside the ring—this is your go-to recap.

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Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

In this episode of the Squared Circle Podcast, Marie Shadows and Dos Evil dive into MLW Intimidation Games 2025, offering insightful commentary on the standout moments and underlying storylines. They break down the surprising decision to open with a match rather than a promo, analyze Contra’s ongoing recruitment attempts, and evaluate MLW’s unique production choices. The hosts also share their thoughts on the upcoming Battle Riot event and speculate on the future of faction warfare in MLW.Timestamps and Topics

• 00:00 - Introduction: Welcome and catch-up with Dos Evil.

• 00:06 - First Impressions: Reactions to the opening match choice.

• 00:32 - Faction Drama: Contra’s recruitment attempts and Kojima’s refusal.

• 01:00 - Production Choices: Discussing MLW’s taping style and how it impacts storytelling.

• 01:25 - Predictions: Thoughts on the upcoming Battle Riot event.

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows.

In this in-depth episode of the Squared Circle Podcast, Marie Shadows provides a passionate and detailed analysis of the New Japan Cup 2025. From the grueling semifinal matches featuring David Finlay, Zack Sabre Jr., Shota Umino, and Shingo Takagi, to the emotional and hard-fought final between Finlay and Umino, Marie leaves no stone unturned.

She explores Finlay’s masterful strategic approach and Umino’s relentless resilience, discussing how each wrestler showcased their strengths and fought to prove their dominance in NJPW. Marie also dives into the psychological warfare present in the matches and how storytelling played a significant role in delivering emotional moments for fans.

Beyond the matches, Marie shares her unfiltered thoughts on the current state of NJPW Strong pay-per-views, questioning their effectiveness without consistent weekly programming. Additionally, she analyzes David Finlay’s surprising offer to Shota Umino to join Bullet Club War Dogs, offering insights into how this decision could shape Umino’s career and alter NJPW's faction landscape.

Throughout the episode, Marie’s experience and knowledge shine as she delivers engaging commentary, drawing connections between character development, in-ring psychology, and long-term storytelling. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of the significance of the New Japan Cup and what it means for NJPW’s future.Marie Shadows breaks down the epic semifinals and finals of the New Japan Cup 2025. From David Finlay's commanding presence and tactical wins to Shota Umino's resilient efforts, every moment is analyzed. Plus, hear Marie's passionate take on NJPW Strong pay-per-views, David Finlay's offer to Umino, and what it all means for the future of Bullet Club War Dogs.

Podcast Timestamps

• Intro and Overview (00:00)

• David Finlay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Semifinal Match Analysis (07:00)

• Shota Umino vs. Shingo Takagi Semifinal Match Breakdown (15:00)

• Final Match: Finlay vs. Umino Recap and Key Moments (30:00)

• Marie’s Thoughts on NJPW Strong Pay-Per-Views (45:00)

• David Finlay’s Offer to Shota Umino Discussion (55:00)

• Bullet Club War Dogs and NJPW's Future (1:05:00)

• Audience Questions and Final Thoughts (1:20:00)

Bullet Points

• Comprehensive analysis of the New Japan Cup Semifinals and Finals

• David Finlay's adaptability and leadership within Bullet Club War Dogs

• Shota Umino's journey of resilience and his next steps in NJPW

• Critique on the current state of NJPW Strong pay-per-views

• Analysis of Finlay's offer to Umino and its potential implications

• Discussion on Bullet Club's evolving direction and NJPW’s storytelling

• Audience engagement with live questions and reflections

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

🔎 What You'll Discover in This Episode:

• A thrilling showdown between Shingo Takagi and Drilla Maloney, packed with hard-hitting moments and strategic counters.

• Shota Umino’s bold new chapter, complete with a symbolic head shave and a stunning win over Jeff Cobb.

• Yuya Uemura's technical brilliance against David Finlay and the impressive resilience on display.

• The emotional clash between former tag team partners, Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr., highlighting the depth of their personal and professional bond.

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Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

• Introduction & Overview (00:00:00)

  • Quick recap of the New Japan Cup results from March 14, 2025

  • Notable performances from Drilla Moloney, Shingo, and Jeff Cobb

• The AEW Effect on New Japan (00:21:52)

  • Criticism of AEW’s presentation of New Japan talent

  • Lack of respect for New Japan's history and its stars' legacies

  • AEW’s struggles with creating emotionally compelling storylines

• Bullet Club and House of Torture (00:22:04)

  • Addressing fan frustrations with these factions

  • Discussion on the decline in Bullet Club’s appeal

• The State of the United Empire (00:23:27)

  • Analysis of how the United Empire has lost its cohesive feel

  • The role of Jeff Cobb in the faction and his potential for singles success

  • Critique of the directionlessness of the faction

• Call to Action: Supporting the Podcast (00:27:40)

  • Encouragement to share and support the Squared Circle Podcast

  • Reminder to join the community on platforms like Spotify, Substack, and through the new Fourth Wall website

• The Tape Study Roadmap & One-on-One Consultations (00:28:22)

  • Promoting personalized consultations and feedback for wrestlers looking to improve

  • The value of the Tape Study Roadmap in elevating wrestling performance

• Closing Thoughts (00:30:56)

  • Invitation to continue the discussion and support the podcast through various platforms and channels

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

Join me as I break down the latest New Japan Cup matches, offering insight into character development, booking decisions, and what these moments mean for the future of NJPW's roster. I bring my signature analysis and unfiltered opinions to topics like Gabe Kidd's AEW appearances, Shota Umino's dramatic transformation, and NJPW's evolving storytelling landscape.

Time Stamps

• 00:00 - 04:00: Introduction, podcast updates, and engagement reminders

• 04:00 - 06:30: Overview of the New Japan Cup format

• 06:30 - 18:00: Gabe Kidd vs. Taichi analysis and critique of Gabe's AEW appearances

• 18:00 - 23:30: Discussion on AEW's lack of narrative consistency

• 23:30 - 29:00: Shota Umino vs. Great Okan match breakdown, Shota’s transformation, and new finisher

• 29:00 - 30:00: Closing thoughts and listener engagement reminders

Bullet Points

• Deep character analysis of Gabe Kidd and the inconsistency in his booking

• Shota Umino's striking character transformation and potential heel turn

• The need for stronger narrative storytelling in wrestling

• Evaluating the significance of match finishes and their storytelling impact

• Opportunities for further character development in NJPW

Call to Action

• Follow me on Substack at marieshadows.substack.com for exclusive content

• Join the Fourth Wall platform for access to Tape Study Roadmap coaching sessions

• Engage in the wrestling conversation through comments and polls on Spotify and YouTube

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

In this episode, I break down the ongoing narrative around Bullet Club and the struggles New Japan is facing due to its partnership with AEW. I discuss how AEW's influence, combined with a lack of proper storytelling, is hurting New Japan's brand. We explore the misplacement of blame on Bullet Club, the overexposure of New Japan talent in AEW, and how New Japan needs to return to its roots to regain its identity.

Time Stamps

• 00:00 - 04:00: Introduction and updates on the podcast

• 04:00 - 07:00: The rise of Bullet Club and their importance to NJPW

• 07:00 - 11:30: AEW’s overexposure of New Japan talent and its consequences

• 11:30 - 15:00: The flaws in AEW’s storytelling and its impact on NJPW’s talent

• 15:00 - 18:00: Why Bullet Club is not to blame for NJPW’s struggles

• 18:00 - 22:00: The need for New Japan to focus on quality storytelling

• 22:00 - 23:00: Closing thoughts and listener engagement reminders

Bullet Points

• Bullet Club’s role in NJPW’s popularity and the support they still have from fans

• How AEW’s mishandling of New Japan talent is hurting their credibility

• Why the AEW partnership has failed to live up to its potential for New Japan

• The critical need for New Japan to return to its roots and focus on long-term storytelling

• The misplacement of blame on Bullet Club when the problem lies elsewhere

Call to Action

• Follow me on Substack at marieshadows.substack.com for exclusive content and updates

• Join Fourth Wall for access to the Tape Study Roadmap and more wrestling insights

• Engage with the podcast on Spotify and YouTube by commenting and sharing your thoughts

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Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast. I am your host Marie Shadows!

In this episode, Marie Shadows breaks down the recent controversy involving JD from New York, Mercedes Moné, AEW, and House of Glory. The discussion revolves around the power dynamics at play when Mercedes requested JD be removed from commentary for her match against Indi Hartwell. Marie highlights the broader implications of this decision, calling for professionalism, better conflict resolution, and industry-wide transparency. This podcast encourages listeners to consider the long-term effects of such moves on the wrestling business.

Bullet Notes:

• Incident Overview: Mercedes Moné requested JD from New York's removal from commentary for her House of Glory match.

• AEW's Role: Speculation on AEW’s involvement and how it reflects on the company’s public perception.

• Power Dynamics: The risk of using influence to silence opposing voices and how it sets a dangerous precedent.

• Missed Storytelling Opportunity: How the real-life tension could have been used to create an engaging wrestling storyline.

• Professionalism Matters: Why constructive dialogue and conflict resolution are essential for the industry.

• Bigger Industry Impact: How this could encourage others to misuse power in the future.

• Solutions: Suggestions on how companies can establish better protocols for handling disputes.

Key Takeaways:

• Wrestling thrives on controversy, but mishandling conflict damages credibility.

• Promotions should prioritize professionalism and open communication.

• Fans should critically analyze situations rather than defaulting to outrage.

• AEW and House of Glory should lead by example to avoid setting harmful precedents.

Engagement Question:Do you think companies should mediate conflicts like this differently? How can promotions handle disagreements without compromising professionalism?

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